so today he will meet with small business owners here at the white house. tomorrow he will meet with middle class americans. and on friday, he'll make the public case for extending tax cuts on the middle class and raising taxes on families making more than $250,000 when he visits a business in pen opinion. the president's press secretary says on this highly charged issue, quote, public communication is essential. >> some of the lessons that we learned over the last four years have to do with always being mindful of the fact that engaging the public on these sometimes chewy policy debates is important because they care and they have a deep stake in the outcome of the debate. so we'll continue to do that. >> carney also says the president strongly opposes extending tax cuts for families making over $250,000. he says that's the president's, quote, firm position. democrats are standing with him on that. while republicans are asking what is the president ready to compromise on? >> so we'll continue to wait on the president, hope that he has what it takes to brin